Knowing the Difference between the SSDI and the SSI

There are two Social Security disability programs which is controlled by the Social Security Administration (SSA)Many people, though, often confuse them as the same disability program, mainly because of the acronyms that these two represent.

In filing a disability claim, it is important to know the difference between the Social Security Disability Insurance(SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income(SSI). Here are the descriptions of each of the two programs provided by the SSA.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

This Social Security program is designed to entitle eligible regular employees and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because of a medical condition to receive disability benefits. When applying for SSDI benefits, the applicant must have enough work credits that are based on their employment history. The funds used to provide successful applicants come from the FICA taxes that they have paid during their years of employment.

When filing for SSDI benefits, the applicant must be either blind or a disabled worker. One must be an adult who is either disabled since childhood or otherwise. Once eligible, he or she may receive benefits. Any person may be entitled to the other disability program if the monthly income is less than a thousand dollars.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

This disability program is designed to provide benefits for any individual who is in dire need of finances. The basis of this program lies on how less the individual has in terms of income and resources. Funds use to provide SSI beneficiaries comes from the U.S. taxes, not Social Security funds as what the SSDI program does.

When filing for SSI benefits, the applicant must be a US citizen and must meet certain requirements such as complete medical evidence. The amount of income that the applicant has must be well below the level set by the SSA.

Breaking Down the Disability Definition of the Social Security Administration

The purpose of filing for Social Security Disability program is to receive benefits based on your disability that prevents you to do your work. As a strong fact, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has its own definition of disability. If you want to avail of the benefits under the Social Security Disability program, you must:

·         Have a physical or mental impairment that;

·         Prevents you from doing any substantial gainful work; and your disability

·         Is expected to last, or has already lasted for at least a year, or is expected to result in death.

Before you plan to submit your disability claim, you must know every bit of detail regarding the SSA’s disability definition. It may help if you constantly have contact with your treating physician and with your lawyer knowledgeable with Social Security laws in case you have inquiries.

·         Your impairment/s should be medically described by your treating physician or doctor and should be either physical or mental. In proving so, you must provide medical information, such as medical documents and your doctor’s opinion regarding your disability. You should not also forget the names and contact details of the doctors and the hospital where you received treatment when you file your disability claim.

·         If you cannot do your current job because of a disability or your last job before you were deemed disabled, the SSA will then look at the possibility of you doing other kinds of substantial gainful work. This refers to any job that has a minimum salary of $1,000 per month. When you submit your claim, you must prove that you cannot do any work; not even substantial gainful work, for you to qualify to receive benefits.

·         The doctors’ correspondence to the SSA’s need for proof of disability must state that your disability is expected or has already lasted for at least a year. But then, you must file your disability claim right away. You don’t want to wait for 12 months before you file a claim; it is likely that you may recover from your disability than expected.

Information on Supplemental Security Income Overpayments

You are eligible to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits if you are a disabled worker who has limited income and limited resources. Not only will you receive monetary benefits, but also medical assistance through Medicaid and other benefits.

However, there is a time during your current disability that you receive SSI payments from the Social Security Administration (SSA) wherein you get more than what you are supposed to get. This is called an overpayment. It is the difference of the payment you receive and the real amount you’ll be getting for that month.

SSI overpayments happen because of various factors. One factor is your failure to inform your local SSA office of any changes in your living arrangements and other personal and family-related matters that may affect the amount of your payment. Another factor is your failure to provide complete information necessary to determine the amount of your SSI monthly payment.

The SSA will know of your overpayment by sending you a notice telling you to provide a full refund within 30 days. If you don’t provide a full refund, the SSA will withhold your overpayment at 10 percent rate coming from your income. They will also tell you to appeal for it, or have the overpayment assessed and waived.

If you think that you do not have anything to do with your overpayment and that you are not anymore able to refund it back, you can request for waiver of overpayment recovery. You will be completing SSA-632-BK, Request for Waiver of Overpayment Recovery or Change in Repayment Rate.

If you think that the payment you receive is the right amount and that you are not overpaid, you can request for a reconsideration. In contrast to the previous form for request of waiver, you need to instead fill-up and submit SSA-561-U2, Request for Reconsideration form.